As the last of the civilian ships left the harbor and disappeared over the horizon, Iazok Qil heaved a sigh of relief. [i]They’re safe. For now, at least.[/i] After giving a nod to the port lookout, he turned around and started to slowly head back into the main city. Along the way he started to reminisce about the past. How a weak young boy who couldn’t do anything except stand behind his mother had managed to become the last bastion of hope for the people.

He walked in silence, not that there was much noise anyway. The once bustling Susset Isle now sits in silence as if awaiting for the inevitable invasion. The popular port city has now become a ghost town. Save for his regiment, a handful of logistics personnel made the decision to stay back to help the war effort. A choice they made after seeing the Shields fight with their life on the line every month for the past few decades. The unsung heroes of their struggle.

He reached the city center and was reminded of how the events that transpired here in the past had led him to become the warrior he was today. Driven by the desire to protect his mother that had been injured in the crossfire, he managed to activate a dormant ability that was normally only seen in direct descendants of the great Aspidochelone, a giant turtle with an island on its back that usually employed this tactic to repel those who wish harm it.

Taking a deep breath he moved towards his old family home. A wide one story house made of stone and wood.[i] The only thing I liked about this place was the fact that mother lived here. It holds no meaning to me now.[/i] He wandered around the vicinity before heading towards an isolated beach that was tucked away in an obscure corner of the isle. Upon reaching it he stopped just before a small memorial. A mound of stones deliberately placed in the shape of a shell.

“Mother.”

Iazok knelt down and touched a stone. This was the place where he ran away to hide when he was feeling down, well it apparently wasn’t a very good spot when his mother somehow kept finding him. Here was he cried and vented in his mother’s arms while rocked and comforted him. Here was she laid to rest, as a testimony to her steadfast nature in during his time of difficulty. He stood up and bowed. “Thank you for taking care of me all this time. I am eternally grateful and nothing I do or say can properly express the gratitude I have in my heart.” He stretched his arm to pick up the centerpiece stone, the one holding the entire structure together. As he did so, the entire mound crumbled and fell, a stone smaller than the size of his fist resting on his palm. He closed his hand and crushed it letting the dust fly off in the wind. “Now its time for you to go as well. Leave this place and reunite with our ancestors. I will protect our country just as you have protected me.”

He straightened his back and took out several letters. Its contents were all the same. Situation of the war, incoming reinforcements, and the formation of an alliance. The only difference being the matter in which they were presented, some where written with a beautiful handwriting ending with a stamp and others were crude, ending only with a name. Regardless of background, they have all shown intent in defeating this common enemy. 

He turned and faced the setting sun. “The attacks are getting more and more frequent. It’s been a week since the last one, there should be an attempt happening any moment now.” 

[i][b]FUUUU-WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO[/b][/i]

As if on cue, a blaring horn signaling the sight of enemies reverberated throughout the city. Iazok Qil hastily made his way to the frontlines to join his men. 

Three days later, the first group of ships were spotted on the horizon. Iazok Qil, his armor splashed with blood after having just repelled enemy forces stood at the port and personally waited for long awaited reinforcements.